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1991 |
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| Members |
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Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins - The cool one (1991 - present)
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Rozonda "Chili" Thomas - The sexy one (1991–present)
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Lisa Lopes "Left Eye" - The crazy one (1991–2002)
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Cystal Jones - (1991)
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Biography |
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TLC was a hugely successful R&B and hip-hop group that was form in 1991. Originally called 2nd Nature, the group was founded in Atlanta, Georgia by Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, and Crystal Jones. Before signing to LaFace Records through a production deal with R&B singer Peri "Pebbles" Reid, the group's name was changed to "TLC," and Crystal Jones was replaced by Rozonda "Chili" Thomas. The first TLC album, Ooooooohhh.... On the TLC Tip, was released in February 1992 by LaFace. The album was going double-platinum in a year's time. TLC's lyrics, chiefly written by Left-Eye and Dallas Austin, were playful, female-empowering anthems characterized by Left-Eye's quirky, nasal-toned raps, T-Boz's low-voiced lead vocals, and Chili's powerful vocals and harmonization. During TLC's first national tour as Hammer's opening act, the other bandmembers discovered that T-Boz had sickle-cell anemia. In 1993, TLC played the musical group "Sex as a Weapon" in the New Line Cinema film House Party 3, starring Kid 'n Play. Left-Eye was battling alcoholism, having been a heavy drinker since her early teen years.
TLC recorded their second album, CrazySexyCool, during the fall of 1994. All four singles from Crazysexycool reached the Billboard Top 5, and became TLC's biggest hit ever. FanMail was another success for TLC, it won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album of 1999. After the conclusion of the successful FanMail tour, the ladies took some time off and pursued personal interests. T-Boz married rapper Mack 10 in August 2000, and the couple had a daughter, Chase, that same year. They would remain together until 2004. Left-Eye began dating Andre Rison once again. Chili and Dallas Austin separated in 2000, and Chili began a relationship with fellow LaFace recording artist Usher Raymond.
On April 25, Left-Eye and six others were riding through La Cieba in an SUV when Left-Eye suddenly swerved to avoid hitting an oncoming car. Left-Eye was the only passenger not to survive the crash. Her funeral was held on May 3, 2002, with thousands of fans and admirers in attendance. It was decided by TLC and Dallas Austin that they would complete the remainder of their fourth album, to be called 3D, which also featured production from Rodney Jerkins and Missy Elliott & Timbaland. The decision was also made that TLC would be retired after the release and promotion of 3D; Left-Eye would not be replaced. TLC went on tour in support of 3D with just T-Boz and Chili. In June 2003, at Zootopia, an annual concert hosted by New York radio station Z100 held at Giants Stadium, TLC appeared in what was announced to be their last performance.
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